No coaches on hand, but some Blue Jackets are back in town early, skating with smiles on

A dozen or so Columbus Blue Jackets players went through a light workout on Monday, their first unofficial meeting since the NHL and the players' union reached a tentative agreement a day earlier after a lengthy lockout.

All said they were pleased just to get back to work.

Forward R.J. Umberger, who spent his idle time as a volunteer coach with his former college team at Ohio State, helped organize things. Veteran defenseman James Wisniewski worked up a sweat along with team newcomers Nick Foligno, a left wing, and Adrian Aucoin, a defenseman. Toronto Maple Leafs center Dave Steckel joined them.

Several Blue Jackets are still overseas. No one yet knows when practices will officially start, or the games will begin.